And so, Kitahara Tai and Takahashi Chihiro become friends.
Kitahara didn't think too much about Chihiro's change in attitude towards him. After all, he never thought that the noble Takahashi Chihiro would take a liking to him. Her initiative to help him might simply be due to her inherent kindness.
Moreover…
He was also self-aware. Before his current problem was resolved, he might be like Takahashi…
His life was hanging by a thread, and it was better to honestly proceed with the scenario (capture/strategy). Perhaps after he completed all scenarios, he could live a normal life.
After meeting Takahashi Chihiro, Kitahara went to class.
He missed the first class because the principal called him out, but the principal would make special arrangements later, so he didn't have to worry about being penalized for truancy…
Actually, his position in the class was dispensable…
Perhaps even if the principal didn't make arrangements, the teacher wouldn't pay much attention to such an insignificant student like him.
Returning to the classroom, his return clearly caught the attention of his classmates.
After all, one person chasing and beating a group of people, even including the physical education teacher, it was hard to imagine that the usually silent Kitahara would possess such martial prowess.
Noticing that some classmates looked at him with fear, Kitahara sighed inwardly.
If this continued, he might become even less likable…
Although he didn't care…
Instead of indulging in high school romance comedies, he might as well collect more (strange tales) information.
He returned to his seat and sat down. Kitahara arrival seemed to lower the temperature of the entire classroom by a few degrees, but seeing that he didn't seem very agitated, the surrounding atmosphere gradually returned to normal.
Ultimately, they were just a group of restless young people.
It was easy for peers to find topics of conversation.
Especially in some small circles liked to challenge themselves, Kitahara sat quietly in place. He took out his phone and began searching for information about the special ritual on Xishi Mountain.
But as before, it seemed that Takahashi clan attached great importance to this information.
Does he have to go to Xishi Mountain then…
Kitahara pondered.
He then began searching for strange folk customs in remote areas of Neon (Japan).
In Japanese folklore, many local customs are extremely bizarre and terrifying… often accompanied by blood and pathology.
Generally speaking, normal human groups would only worship bright and magnificent gods, but in Neon (Japan), some people would actively worship ghosts instead.
So, in the eyes of Neon (Japanese) people, ghosts and gods are beings of the same class, and by the way, so are yokai.
Because he couldn't gather information about Xishi Mountain, Kitahara-kun decided to start with the Nether Springs.
And then he indeed found some things.
This was an introduction about this thing, in addition to what Chihiro told him, there were some other additions.
For example, while Nether Springs were harmful, for some people, they could also be utilized.
Children born within the Nether Springs spiritual domain could possess extremely powerful spiritual sensitivity. After reaching adulthood, they could not only see through others' hearts but, in certain circumstances, even foresee the future.
Therefore, some ancient families would rely on special artifacts or rituals to suppress the Nether Springs, and then, using its spiritual domain, through a certain ritual, infinitely increase the spiritual sensitivity of a certain descendant to foresee the future direction for the family.
Kitahara guessed that the previous Takahashi Patriarch might have utilized the Nether Springs by suppressing it through a ritual.
Of course, very few families could actively utilize the Nether Springs; most of them just suppressed it, not daring to have any thought of utilizing it.
It is highly probable that the Takahashi clan encountered a problem during a ritual involving Nether Springs, which resulted in the near-total demise of their main family members.
The Mount Yuushoku Dissolving Incident, huh…
Kitahara pondered.
Since no news or reports about Xishi Mountain could be found online, would it be possible to inquire about something locally in Yuushoku?
After all, some things are only known by locals.
Ding-dong.
Just then, his phone suddenly chimed with a message notification.
Kitahara looked, and it was from Takahashi Chihiro.
Takahashi Chihiro: [Something… has come up. Could I trouble Kitahara to meet? I'm very sorry for taking up Kitahara time… I'm very sorry… I'm very sorry… I'm very sorry… I'm very sorry x10]
Kitahara: "..."
A flood of "I'm very sorry" filled his phone screen, looking inexplicably terrifying…
Kitahara couldn't help but swallow.
Why did he suddenly have an ominous premonition?
But he still replied.
Kitahara: [Okay… ]
From Kitahara perspective.
He and Chihiro only added each other as friends to facilitate necessary contact when needed.
But for Chihiro, she wouldn't see it that way.
After all, it was her first time having a truly good friend in her life; at this moment, Chihiro's heart was undoubtedly excited, and because of this, she would unconsciously reveal some of her true inner emotions.
This would also lead to some problems…
For example…
When Kitahara found Chihiro again, he saw her standing somewhat dejectedly in the small garden, looking as if she had lost her soul…
Thinking she might have encountered something terrible, Kitahara quickly walked over.
"What happened?"
Hearing Kitahara voice, the despondent Chihiro slowly turned, her small face, as if devoid of soul, looking a bit blank.
"I… fell when I was going back… It hurts so much…"
Kitahara: "..."
Chihiro seemed not to know how to interact with real friends; she could get along well with others, but when she truly had a so-called friend, she became strange.
Kitahara could only feel that she probably wasn't used to it yet…
"Does it still hurt?" he asked.
"I've already applied some medicine, it shouldn't hurt now…"
Kitahara: "..."
"So I'm a bit dejected…" she added.
"It's alright, just be careful next time…"
"Okay…" Chihiro finally slowly agreed to leave. Watching her back, Kitahara inexplicably felt that adding Chihiro as a friend might not be a good thing.
And what happened next confirmed his suspicion.
...
Ding-dong!
Before class was even over, his phone received another message…
Still asking Kitahara to find her.
As soon as class ended, Kitahara found a somewhat dejected Chihiro in the small garden.
"One person didn't eat the food I made in home economics class… Could he not like my cooking…?"
Kitahara: "..."
...
Ding-dong!
"A strand of my hair isn't combed properly, it's sticking up…"
...
Ding-dong!
"I zoned out during class…"